Football is a violent and aggressive sport; even with the limiting rules that have been put in place in recent years. This aggression and nonstop action is what draws millions of eyes to televisions every Sunday, Monday, Thursdays, and even some Saturdays. Fans are so desperate for football action that they're willing to shell out money to watch football practice. Not to sound like Allen Iverson, but we're not talking about a real game we're talking about practice. The NFL season lasts 17 weeks, but if you throw in the preseason that adds 4 more weeks and OTA's (Offseason Training Activities) that adds up to about 23-24 weeks of football action and fans can't get enough. Is it possible that the NFL is overexposing it's product and more importantly overexposing its players? This offseason players have been dropping like flies from Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman Maurkice Pouncey to Green Bay Packer wide receiver Jordy Nelson two vital players on their respective squads.
I think it's time for the NFL to do away with some of their preseason activities. Either drop a preseason game or drop some of these recent inter-team practices; in which fights tend to break out like the brawl between the Dallas Cowboys and the St. Louis Rams. If the league really is interested in the safety of players (which I really don't believe they are) and not the all mighty dollar (which is their main focus) they would make the necessary changes to make sure that players aren't in harm's way. Yes, freak accidents will always happen, but limiting how much time players are on the field helps players avoid concussions and snapped ACLs and hurt ankles that need surgery. Some fans will be turned off by this, but understanding the damage these players take on every snap should make it with it because the players will still be fresher during the season, you know, when games actually count.
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